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Do restaurants make you fat?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eating out is often blamed for adding to the nation’s obesity crisis. But, a new study done by
researchers at the University of Pennsylvania finds that- not suprisingly- it depends very much
on where you’re dining out and what you’re eating. And in fact, overall, as reported in
February’s American Journal of Preventive Medicine people who ate out most often actually had
the lowest body weights. However, once the restaurants are split into components: fast food
and full service, those who ate in fast food restaurants most often were the heaviest.
So, researchers conclude that eating in full service restaurant where you have a wider choice of
menu alternatives is important if you don’t want to any wider! What’s your opinion on dining out
and its association with weight control?
A guy walks into a bar….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How’d you like to find salmonella infected raw egg residue in your frozen margarita?
A friend of mine who is registered dietitian sent this personal observation to other RD’s on an email list and it got me thinking about the “health food enthusiasm” of some folks and how it might actually- especially in this case- negatively impact the health of others.
Here’s a true story of a guy who walked into a bar…… “I saw something new (at least to me) over the holidays. We were enjoying a glass of wine at the Broadmoor, and this guy came down with “Chia” seeds that he grew in his hotel room, two raw eggs, and then asked the bartenders to blend the eggs with the seeds and the juice of two lemons. He proceeded to drink the blended drink in a couple of gulps. And then he gave the bartender a whopping $1 tip - I heard the two bartenders snicker and said that they would split the tip.
I was so curious that I had to ask the guy about it - he went on and on about the health benefits, and the fact that he consumes 8-10 raw eggs per day. He said this was good for his colon. It never ceases to amaze me what folks believe.and the fact that the raw eggs were in the same container as the Chia seeds! I was also concerned about the blender - and if it were thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before making more blended drinks.”
I don’t know what makes me more upset..the bad tip to the bartenders or the potential of salmonella traces left in the blender used to make frozen drinks for other guests!
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Country Life Not Always Healthier
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This info taken from recent Newsweek article…very interesting!!!
Notions of county life conjur up images of picking an apple from a tree or a fresh egg from under a chicken. But, the real world of eating and nutrition in the rural United States is far from this ideal. “The stereotype is everyone in rural America lives on a farm, which is far from the truth,” says Jim Weill, president of the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).
New research from the University of South Carolina shows just how unhealthy the country life can be. The study, which examined food-shopping options in Orangeburg County (1,106 square miles, population 91,500), found a dearth of supermarkets and grocery stores. Grocery stores, which stock far more fruits and vegetables than convenience stores, are often too far away, says University of South Carolina epidemiologist Angela Liese, lead author of the study, which appeared in last month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association. “Oftentimes a nutritionist will just say, ‘Buy more fruits and vegetables,’ when, in fact, the buying part is not simple.”
Liese and her colleagues found plenty of healthy foods in the county’s 20 supermarkets and grocery stores. The situation in the convenience stores was decidedly grimmer. Only 4 percent of them carried high-fiber bread, and only 2 percent carried low-fat or skim milk.”
What do you think about this?
What did you eat in 2007?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With 2008 just a few weeks away it’s time for the December tradition of looking back at the year we are about to complete. And that of course includes an examination of food trends. What was hot and what was not. Carbonated soft drinks topped the list of all packaged goods purchased in the US this year, according to research on consumer trends by The Nielsen Company, while strong sales for ready-to-eat cereals stress a preference for convenience.
The trend results showed that soft drinks, refrigerated milk, ready-to-eat cereal, fresh bread, bottled water and cookies were amongst the ten consumer packaged goods that generated the most sales.
But, I thought that pomegranate juice was all the rage????
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Not So Healthy Nutrition Claims
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The information included in Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. But, “good nutrition found here!” claims printed on other parts of the box or container may only be healthy for marketing purposes.
Take “All Natural” for instance; that doesnt automatically mean a food product is all good. After all, wood chips are natural, but not good for you. A product with the “all-natural” claim can still be high in calories, saturated fat, sugar and sodium and low in fiber or other important nutrients.
And when something is taken away such as salt to make a product “low sodium” watch out for what may be added to boost the flavor appeal. Sometimes, more sugar or more fat is added to make up for the lower salt. And “cholesterol free” or “trans fat free” may be accurate descriptions of a product’s makeup but, they could still contain other ingredients that raise your blood cholesterol, such as tropical oils ( palm oil or coconut oil ) which contain cholesterol-raising saturated fats.
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Yes and no. I agree nobody placed the order or put the food in my mouth but me. However some places (Chinese and Mexican food in particular) have changed their receipes to accomodate the American palate. I went to my local Chinese place as a ‘treat’... read the full comment by FCM | Comment on Do restaurants make you fat? Read Do restaurants make you fat?
It’s not the restaurant’s fault, it’s not the cigarette company’s fault…it’s your own damn fault.... read the full comment by Producer | Comment on Do restaurants make you fat? Read Do restaurants make you fat?
You cannot put the blame on restaurants. They are a business and their goal is to make money. You put the blame on the consumer, who chooses to dine at an establishment, and chooses their meals off the menu, then eats everything on their plate,... read the full comment by Mary | Comment on Do restaurants make you fat? Read Do restaurants make you fat?
You cannot put the blame on restaurants. They are a business and their goal is to make money. You put the blame on the consumer, who chooses to dine at an establishment, and chooses their meals off the menu, then eats everything on their plate,... read the full comment by Mary | Comment on Do restaurants make you fat? Read Do restaurants make you fat?